Gout refers to a type of arthritis that is caused by too much uric acid in the bloodstream. In most cases, the kidneys can filter out the extra uric acid through the urine. However, if too much uric acid remains in the body, it can form hard crystals in the joints.

These crystals can cause swelling and pain. The big toe is most often affected, but other joints can be affected too. A gout attack can come on suddenly, and cause a burning sensation that is extremely painful. Gout isn’t necessarily caused by a single factor. Uric acid is produced by the body, and it also comes from the diet.

The most common symptom of gout is pain, tenderness, and swelling in the big toe. Such pain usually occurs at night. Some people experience gout attacks in the foot, ankle, knees, or other joints. The first 36 hours are the most painful, but it may be up to 10 days before the pain goes away. Sometimes, another attack doesn’t occur for months or years.

You should see your doctor even if the pain from a gout attack has subsided. The uric acid in the joints can still cause harm, even if you do not experience immediate pain.

For more information about gout and tips to help manage symptoms, visit the JoinAStudy.ca health blog here.

A team of researchers has successfully treated rats with drinking disorders by injecting them with stem cells taken from humans. The rats had previously consumed the human equivalent of over one bottle of vodka every day for up to 17 weeks under free choice conditions, meaning the rats were never forced to consume the alcohol (but were selectively bred to prefer alcohol). After being injected with the stem cells, the rats chose to drink the alcohol 90% less on average.

Alcohol abuse and related disorders are an increasing issue in society and are a major contributor to pre-mature death worldwide. The objective of this study was to lay early ground work for finding a new therapy to treat alcoholism. Here is a quote from Yedy Israel, Professor at the University of Chile and the team lead for the study:

“After three months of chronic drinking, the animals were completely deprived of alcohol for two weeks. At the end of this period, they were given alcohol for only 60 minutes. Typically, the animals would engage in binge-like drinking during this short period, consuming the human equivalent of about eight standard drinks. Animals that had received the small-sized mesenchymal stem cells treatment consumed much less, levels comparable to that of a social drinker.”

Yedy and his team are now entering the process of finding partners to help transfer this study over to analysis of human participants.

Regular exercise is important for people of all ages, but new research published in the journal “Aging Cell” shows that it could be even more important for those of older age to keep a consistent regiment. Researchers kept track of 125 long-distance cyclists to evaluate the benefits of physical activity for the elderly. What they discovered was that the cyclists had immune systems comparable to that of a 20-year-old, as opposed to their actual ages (between 70 and 80).

“The immune system declines by about 2-3% a year from our 20s, which is why older people are more susceptible to infections, and conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and, potentially, cancer. Because the cyclists have the immune system of a 20-year-old rather than a 70 or 80-year-old, it means they have added protection against these issues,” says Professor Janet Lord, director of the Institute of Inflammation and Ageing at the University of Birmingham and co-author of the study.

A stronger immunity is characterized by a higher count of T-cells in the blood. These cells help the body react to infections, as well as manage new vaccines to assist in protecting against new infections.

A French research team from the Universite Sorbonne Paris Cite have found new evidence linking ultra-processed foods (such as sweet/savory packaged snacks, sodas, chocolate bars) to increased risk of cancer. Diet and obesity have already been linked to health issues such as heart disease and diabetes and being overweight has been identified as the most significant cause of preventable death behind smoking.

105,000 people were surveyed to establish their eating habits, and then followed for an average of around 5 years. Findings published in the British Medical Journal show that when consumption of ultra-processed foods is decreased by 10%, the number of cases of cancer decrease by 12%. This study is seen as an “initial insight” into the link between processed foods and cancer, as Professor Linda Bauld, Cancer Research UK’s prevention expert, says; “It’s already known that eating a lot of these foods can lead to weight gain, and being overweight or obese can also increase your risk of cancer, so it’s hard to disentangle the effects of diet and weight.”

A study published in Pharmacoepidemiology & Drug Safety has reported that around 15% of adults take common pain relievers more frequently, and in higher doses than recommended. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen are some of the most commonly used medicines in Canada, and worldwide. Participants in this study completed a daily medication diary for one week to track their usage of ibuprofen. Overall, just over half of the participants took the drug at least three days of the week, and 16% took it every day. The study’s focus on users who had been actively taking these pain-killers for the month previous to the study period could have an effect on the data, as it leaves out infrequent or new users of these drugs.

“These drugs can have serious side-effects, including gastrointestinal bleeding and heart attacks, and are often taken without medical oversight because many products are available over-the-counter. The attitude that users can choose their own dose regardless of label directions, along with poor knowledge of dosing limits, is associated with exceeding the daily limit,” says lead study author Dr. David Kaufman of Boston University.

Because NSAIDs are so widely available and accessible, many people misinterpret this to mean they can be taken without risk. People often do not bother reading the label or safety warning, and if they do some tend to ignore it. The Health Canada maximum recommended dose for NSAIDs is 1,200 mgs per day and should be used for seven days or less.